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Cougar girls return home after Eastern Oregon trip for three home games this week

The Country Christian girls' basketball team's preseason schedule is no joke, as they wrapped up their first week of play at 1-1 after falling to Powder Valley 64-43 in their first game, but coming back two days later to thump Jordan Valley 50-36.

"I like the group of ladies we have on the floor," junior Sarah Phillips said. "We may have lost a couple girls, but the group we have now is very close and we all have chemistry going that I enjoy."

"I like that we still put up a fight with only seven core varsity players, and the biggest thing that is negative is our endurance; that is the biggest thing we need to work on and change."

Phillips commented on the team's preseason schedule, saying they'll see a number of teams that will likely be at Baker for the state tournament in February.

"Our goal is to go out there and play to the best of our ability and to fight for every point," Phillips said. "We understand we are a different team, and we need to change our tactics a little bit with different teams."

Those changes came after the Powder Valley game as the Cougars prepared to take on Jordan Valley, and Phillips said they made some adjustments to their offensive gameplan, which is usually one that counts on fast break points and quick buckets in transition, but that they "don't have the legs to do that all four quarters."

"We changed our offense to a settled style, dribbled down the court easily and set up a play scored patiently," she said. "This tactic actually worked, which was encouraging."

Once their preseason schedule is finished, Phillips said she expects the team to cruise through the Valley 10 conference play and then "work [their] tails off" once playoffs roll around.

Up next for the Cougars is a home matchup against 4A Valley Catholic on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m., followed by two more home games this week: Hosanna Christian at 6 p.m. on Friday and Days Creek at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Conner WilliamsSports Reporter/News Contributor503-829-2301 ext. 341email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Follow us on TwitterLike Us on FacebookVisit Us on Instagram